Transmission and gear-shifting means.



Patented Jan. 7, 1919 IiBHEETS-'SHIEI l.

W. I. THOMPSUN.

APPLscmon mm mi. 5. 1918.

IRANSMIssloN Mw GEAR summa MEANS.

W. l. THOMPSDN.

mANsMlssfoN AND GEAR sHmaNG MEANS.

APHICATION FILED IAN-5,198

pion.

W. J. THOMPSON TRANSMISSION AND GEAR SHlFTING MEANS.

APPLecATloN mw MN. 5` 191s.

1 ,290,5 18. Patented Jan. 7, X919 3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

WILLIAM J. THOMPSON. 0F MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA.

TBANSMISSlON AND GEAR-SHIFTING IVIEANS.

Application tiled January 5,1918.

Bv it'` known tlnlt l. \\'n.|,|.\,n .l. 'lnoxtrsox, a tilizvn ol' thv llnilvil Stahna. i'vsiilingr ut Minnvapolis` in thu volant)l ot' llvnnvpin and Stntv ol' Mmm-notan hun. inwntvd evi'- tain nvn' nml lwvl'nl lm|no\vmvnts in Trans minaion.` and (lvar-Hliil'ting, Monos; nml l do hvrvh)| dvrlarv thv t'olloningv to ho a l'nll. rival'. und vxart dobrription of thv inivntiol.y snvh :is will vnahlv othvr-` .Laliillvd in thv art to nhivh it appvrtnim; to malt'v and nav thvy same.

transmissions and gvar lahi'l'tingg nii-ann :and hal l'or onv of its ohjvvts thv provision of a tlvvivv ot' thi-i vharavtvr nhvrvin thc Speed vhanging Ivars will hv vonstantlyv in mush no as to ohriatv thv nvnr upon gvars in `lransmiasionn ol' thv typo that. thv gears arv vngfagvd and disvngagl'vd l'rom vat'h other to ohtain thv various spvvds.

nothvr olijvrt. olA this inivntion is thv` p|ori ion of a gvar shiftingr mvztns which van hv von\'vnivntl \4 manipnlatcd by a controlling mvan` in rlosv proximit)- to thv opvrator and npon nvtlnnion 0l thv clntvh. nlvvhanism.

flnthvr ohjvvt olthi V inrvntion is thv proviwion ol transmission and gli-ar shifting' mvannl oll thv allow stalvd vhai'avtvr whivh Hhnll hv simplv` dnrahlv and vllivlvnt` and whivh may hv nmnnl'nvtnrvd and sohl at :1 vompnratirvlr lon vost.

Vl'ith thvsv and othvr ohivrts in vivw as will livromv mot-v apparvnl as thv dvsvrip` tion provvvds, thv invvntion consista in Vvvrtain novvl lvntnrvl of vonstrnvtion, comhination` and arrangnmvnt ot' parts asrwill hv hvrvinaftvr morv fnll)v dosorihvd, and vlaimod.

For a von'iplvto nndvrstanding of my inrvntion, rvfvrvm-v is; to hv had to the follo\\in;F (lvsvription and avvompanying drawing. in whivhz- Fignrv 1 is a plan vivw pmtly in Sovtion of an anton'iohilv transmission) and :Ivar shifting moans constrnrtvd in avvoi'danvv with niv invention.

Fig. is a horizontal scvtional viv w of tho same.

141g. 3 is a trnnnvvrav sortionnl rivw taltvn on thv line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Specification of Letters Pn tcnt.

lntvntod Jun. 7, 1919.

Serial N0.21.4B1.

Fig. Yl is a ttnnnfornv svctional rivw tation on thv linv lml ol' Filo. 2..

Fig. fi it; a pt-i'npvvtirv rivw of a mumhvl' l'or moving thv virion` vlnlvhvr of thv trans- Inn-Sion into opvratirv position.

Fig. t1 is a V imilar \iv\'.y of a lnvmhvr for movin;r thv vhltvhvs ol` thv transmission into lnopvrativv or nvotral position.

Fig'. T la a lvtail svrtional i'ivw illnnlrnt ingy thv mvnihvw in opvratiiv position.

Fig. H in a wrtiifnl vvtional Yivw ot' oor olh thv mivvd vhangring Ivars illustratingthv iliilvh vlvmonl thvrvon.

Fitz: it is a plan \iv\\ oi' a rlnlvh vlvinvnt allaplvd lox' voopvrntion with a vlltlvh npon a tival:

Fig'. l() i5 a plan .'ivw of thv quadrant..

lvlivrrinsr in dvtail to thv drawing; the nnmvral l indivatv a 'frag'invntar;v portion ot' an antomohilv body haringr a Stovringl colnmn 2 lnonntvd thvroon to whivh is as soviatvd a stvvriiig' whvvl 3.

Undvllying: the antomohilv body 1 is a drivv shaft 4 varrying a clutvh vlvnlvnt 5 livd hr thv rrank lhaft T ol' n primv morvr. voliv S ronnvvtvd to thv ttlntvh vlvmvntV 5 and pii'otnllt' and Slidnhly vonnvvtvtl lo tho lowvr vnd of a foot pvdal J aa illnstrntvd at it). Il`hv foot pvdal ll in pirotnll) monnlvd as ilhtstl'nt'vd at 1l and ha` it` nppvr vnd with thv loot rv.\t l2 tlivivon disposvd ahorv thv tloor hoard` ol' thv antotnobilv hod 1 no that thv opvratol' van rvadil)Y tlisvnnagv thv vlntvh vlvinvnt 5 from thv vlntvh vlvmvnt` (l hr pushing downwardh' upon thv rlntvh pvtlal so as to st'op thv vranlt' .shaft of thv primv movvr frmn'drving tho drivkx shaft' -l. rlhv fort-going dvsvription rvlatvn to a wvll known constrnvtion of antomohilv and to whit-h |n\' in\'vntion is apnlivd.

transmission vaingr or homing 13 is lov-atvd nndvl thv antomohih` hody l and rvvvirvb` thv rvar vnd of the drive shaft 4 Within a snitahlv grounding. A dlirvn Shaft 14 is ionrnalvd in thv transmisnion housing 13 and han ihforward End dianosvd in cow proximityI to thv rvar vnd of the drive shaft l and has it4 olhvr vnd diapowd oxtvriolly of thv homing lil t'or vonnvction' with an ordinary difl"-iv|\ti:1l ol' an automobile (not yQhown). A gvar 15 is splmed to the rear end of the drive shaft 4 within the transmission housing 1 and has formed thereon a grooved member 16 which receives a yoke 17 formed upon a vertically disposed arm 6 18. The vertically disposed arm 18 is connected to a rod 19 that extends from the front wall of the transmission housing 13.

i A. clutch element 2()` is formed upon the gear 15 and is .adapted to engage the clutch element 21 secured to the forward end of the driven shaft 14 whereby' upon movement of the clutch element 20 in engagement with the clutch element 21 a direct drive or high speed to the transmission will be obtained as the drive shaft 4 will be connect/ed directly to the driven shaft 14. A counter shaft 22 is journaled in suitable bearings in the end walls of the transmission housing 13 and extends in spaced parallel relation to the drive and driven shafts. A gear 23 is secure; to the forward end of the counter shaft 2 and is `adapted to be driven by the gear' 15 when in its forward or neutral position The gears 15 and 23are of substan 25 tially the same ratio so that the counter shaft will be driven substantially the same rate as the drive shaft 4. A'gear 24 of a slightly larger dimension than the gear 15 is journaled to the driven shaft 14 at a point adjacent its forward end und has formed thereon a clutch element 25 which is adapted rto be engaged by a clutch element 2G that is splined to the forward end of the driven "shaft 14. The clutch element 26 has formed -2:5{thereon a grooved member 27 which is enA gaged by a yoke 28 formed upon a vertically disposed arm 29. TheA arm 29 is secured to a rod 30 and extends through the front wall of the transmission housing 13. A gear 31 is secured to the counter shaft 22 and is of a smaller dimension than the gear 23 and is continuously in mesh with the gear 24 so that when the gear 15 is in its normal or forward position, the gear 31 being fixed to V the counter shaft 22 will drive the gear 24 and by having the clutch element 26 in enagement with the clutch element 25 the riven shaft 14 will be driven atea slower rate of speed than the drive shaft 4 to'obtain intermediate or second speed to the trans mission.. A gear 33 of a larger dimension than the gear 24 vis journaled to the driven shaft' V'14 and has formed thereon a clutch element 34 which is adapted to be engaged 515 by a-ciutch element 35. The clutch clement. 35 is spiined to the driven shaft 14 and has formed thereon a grooved `member 36 which ise'ngaged by a yoke 37 carried by a vertically disposed arm 38. The vertically dis- 60. posed arm. 38 isseCured to a rod 39 that xtends throughu ,the front 'wall of the transnisslon housingfl. The gea'rfi() is secured to the counter s'iiuft 22 and is of a smaller diameter than (hfgear 31 and is continuously in mesh with the gear. 33 so that when the geur 23 and the clutch element 35 are in engagement with thc clutch element 34, the driven shaft 14 will be driven by the drive shaft 4 at a much decreased rate of speed so as to obtain first or lowr speed to the transmission. A gear 41 is journalcd to the driven shaft 14 and has formed thereon a clutch element 42 which is adapted to be engaged by a clutch element. 43 that is splined'to the driven shaft 14. A groove member 44 is formed upon the clutch element 43 and has in engagement therewith the yoke 45 earried by a vertically disposed arm 46. The vertically disposed arm 46 is secured to the rod 47 and extends through the front Wall Vof the transmission housing 13. A gear 47 is secured to the rear end of the counter shaft 22 and is in mesh with a pinion 48 which is journaled upon a suitable shaft 45) carried by the rear wall of the transmission housing 13. lThe pinion 48 is in mesh with thc gear 41 wherein,r upon movement of the clutch element 43 in engagement with the clutch element 42 and with the gear 15 in mesh with the gear 23, the driven shaft 14 will be rotated in a reverse direction from the drive shaft 4 so as to obtain the reverse .speed of the transmission. A plurality of standards 50 are secured to the bottom wall of the transmission housing 13 and have formed upon their upper 'ends bearings or journals ol. to receive the driven shaft 1-1 and the counter shaft 22 so as to firmly slipport them within the housing 13.

Substantially rectangular frames 52. 53, 54. and are located in advance of the transmission housing 13 and have formed thereon arms o which connect the frames 52, 53, 54, and 55 to the rods 47, 3S), 3() und l!) respectively. The rods 1i). 3U, 3U and 47 boing slidnblyY mounted within the front wall oi' thc transiiiiis-sion housing 13 will. support thc franws `in 'a horizontal plano in advance of tlu` transmission housing,bul if desirril any other suitable supporting nnuns may be provided to support thc frames. llarh of the framesl nro divided in half by 'vertical members "17. and 55) extend through the halves of euch of the frames and are journalcd in suitable supporting arms .410 carried h v the front n'ullof the transmission housing or casing 125. A pinion (i1 is secured to one end of the shaft 5E) uml meshes with a segment. (S2 secured to tho rorruuiomling end of the shaft 58. The` shaft 5H hasl secuixd thereto an arm (i2-l which is pivotally and slidubly connected to a rod (i4 which is in turn pivotcd to ilu' clutch pedal i) as illustratedat. in,

whereby upon pushing' downwardly upon thc clutch pedal to discingag:l the clutch elements 5 aud o the .shafts 58 and 5S) will be rotated.

ioo

Shafts 58 l .ltn opvratingr nivnihvr 66 is: splinvd to thv shaft 5t) and within thv frantvs and has` fornivd thvr` on oppositvly disposi-d flangvs` ti' and (in. 'l`hv iangv on has` a vvntrali)u arrangvd notch ttt) and thv tiangv tiT has a notvh TU adjmvnt onv vnd as vlvarl illustratvd in Fig. t' for thv purposv ol' rvvvit'- ing thv \'vrtival invnihvrs 5i' and thv vuil` of thv frainvs during,r thv opvration ot thv devicv whivh will hv hvrvinaftvr inorv full) dvscl'ihfd. Yokv nivtnhvr Tl is forint-d upon ouv vnd of thv avtuating nivnihvr (itt and has in vngagvinvnt thvrvwith a yoke 72 carl-ind hy a vollar T3 whivh is salielahl)Y lnountvd upon thv shaft 5t). 'lhv vokv T3 has forlnvd tht'rvon a downwmdly dvpvnding arni whivh is pivotvd to a rod 74. Thv rod 74 has forulvd thvrvon a ravk har 75 whivh vxtvnds transtvrsl) and upon thv under sidv of thv automohilv hotly 1 and nlvshvs with a pinion Tfi. 'l`hv pinion 7G is svvurvd to thv lowvr vnd ot' an opvrating shaft TT whirh vxtvnds through thv quadrant 78 svi-urvcl to thv stvvring voluxnn L adjavvnt thv stvvring whvvl I', as illustratvd at 79. 'l`hv upplr vnd of thv opvrating shaft 7T has svurvd thvrvto a controllingr handlv 80 whivh ovvrlivs thv quadrant T8 and has formed thvrvon a tooth Si ladaptvd to vn gagv thv svrrations or notvhvs lovatvd in spared relation upon thv quadrant. 'lhv notvhvs upon thv quadrant hat'v assoviatvd thvrvwith thv gvars lt"` N"'. "l", "2". and 3" which rvprvsvnt rv.\'vrsv". neutral, tirst spvvd or lowvr spvvd. svcond Spovd or intvrluvdiatv and third spvvd or direct drivv.

'lhv actuating' nlvxnhvr F42 is slidahly inountvd upon thv shaft 5S und `splinvd thvrvto and has forint-d thvrvon adjavnnt vavh vnd oppositvlyv vxtvnding: arms S3 and 84 which arms arv lovattvd in alinvnivnt with thv. notvhvs i't) and titl rvspvvtivvly of' thv actuating nlvnxhvr titi. Thv grootvd invulhvr H5 forint-d upon onv vnd ot' thv actuating lnvlnhvr S2 .rvvvivvs a 'vokv H5 varrivd h v a collar Sti and is slidahlv upon tho shaft 58. An arn| HT is. t'ornivd upon thv vollar SB and is svvurvd to thv rod 74 whvrvhy thv operating;` nlvinhvrs (itt and 8:2 will hv vontY pellod to slidv upon thv shafts 55* and 5H rvspvvtivvly upon avtuation ot' thv vontrol ling handlv Htl upon thv quadrant To.

Tho gears 15, 24, 33, and 41 arv, formt-,d upon sleeves 88 and tho slvvvvs that carry `the goal-s 24, 33, and 4l arv` rotatably mounted upon thv drivvn shaft 14 whilv. the slvvvv that varrivs` thv Ivar l5 is splinvd to the drivv shat'l 4. In operation, tho oontrolling levvr 80 is positioned in tho uo'tCh bearing thv charavtvr R representing reverse to the transmission and when in this position, thv avtualing nivmhvr 82 is so positionvd upon `ihvv shaft 5% that the arm 83 disposvtl within the frame 52 and th lnvmhvr 82 so that thv avtuating member 6G is so positioned upon thv shal't Si that thv notvh Ttl is in a linv with thv vvrlival invnihvr 57 of the frame 52. Thv. opvrator than prvssvs downwardly upon thv clutch pvdal t) and the first moveinvnt thvrvof disvngagvs the vlutch clement 5 troni thv olutvh vlvnivnl fi stopping the rotation of thv drivvr shaft 4 and upon furthvrlnovvlnvnt downwardly of the clutch pedal 5? thv actuating nivlnhvrs 6G and 82 arv rotatvtl so that thv tlangrvs and ar|n thvrvof arv dispos-vd in a horizontal plane as illustrated in Fig. 1. Whvn the arln 83 of thv avtuating lnonihvr 8i. moves into a horizontal position it engages thvl vertical nlvnihvr 5T of thv traino 52 and moves thu santa rearwardly causing the rod 47 to inovv rvarnardly vonntmtingr thvr clutch elemvnt 43 with thv vlutvh vlonivnt 42 and hy ivtting up on thv foot pvda] t) the clutch vlvlnvnts 5 and ti niovv. in engagement, with vavh othvr pvrinitting tho primo Inovvr to rotatv thv shaft 4 which drivos thv. Counter shaft through thv roars 15 and 2.. The rountvr shaft drives thv pinion 48 which in turn drivvs `thv gvar 4l which drives thv dritt-n Shaft l-l in a rvvvrso direction from thv drivv shaft 4, thus obtaining the rvvorsv of thv transmission. ivhon thv pvrator rvlvasvs thv foot pedal 9 permitting thv santo to rvturn to its initial position, thv flangvs and arlns of the actuating momhvrs (to and H2 rvtul'n lo :t rvrtival position as illustratori in Fig. 2.

To obtain first or low spvvd to the transmission, thv vontrollinLl lvrvr Htl is ntovvd so that thv tooth S1 vngragvs `tho notch 1 upon thv quadrant 78 which positions thv actuatingV mvinhvr 82 in suvh a mann'vr upon tho Shaft H that thv arm Hl will hv dispos'vd within tho franiv and simultanvously moving thv arm 83 out of alinvniont. with thv trann- 52 and at'` thv samv` timv. thv` actuating' nivnihvr t' momslatvrally upon thv shaft 59 positioning thv. notch (if) in' alinvnlvnt with thv t'ramv. 53. Tho opera/tor thvn prvssvs downwardly upon thvl clutch pvdal 9 rlisvngfaging the olntvh vlvmvnt 5 from lhv vlutrh vlvuivnt ti and upon further inovvnivnt thvrvot'. thv avtuatintgT mvmbvrs titi and H2 arv rotatvd upon thv shafts 59 and Fin. lpon rotation of thv actuating muni hvr 82 ihn arni Ht niovvs `lhv framv 53 rvar wartliy vansingr thv vlutvh vlvtnvnt to vugagv with thv vlutvh vlvlnvnt 34. Upon rotation of thv avtuatinnr mvmber (i6. the frainv 5; is inovvd forwardlyr disengaging thv telutvh vlvtnvnt '13 from the clutch elernvnt "t2 thvrvht' rvlurningf the revert-:ing rnvohanism to nvutral position. Owing to the pinion (il mvshintgr with the sog'mvnt 62 thv actuatingr nivnihvrs titi will hv rotatvo at a fastvr rate ot spvvd than the actuating frame 52 is inovvd llo forvardly prior to the frame 53 being moved rearwardly by the arm 84 thus overcoming -the danger of'two or more clutches of the transmission being in mesh at one time.

To obtain intermediate or second speed to the transmission, the controlling lever 80 is moved so that the tooth 81 engages the notch bearing the character 2 upon the quadrant 78 which slides the actuating members 66 and 82 laterally upon the shafts 59 and 58 respectively positioning the rim 84 within the frame 54 and the notch 69 in alinement with said frame whereby upon the operator actuating the foot pedal 9 1n the manner heretofore described, the frame 53 is moved rearwardly throwing the transmission out of low or first speed and moving the frame 54 rearwardly to connect the clutch elements 26 and 25 to obtain `the intermediate or second speed.

To obtain third speed or high, the controlling lever 80 is moved to the character 3 upon the quadrant 78 which positions the. arm 83 Within the frame 55 and the notch 70 in alinement therewith and upon actuation of the foot pedal the frame 54 y is moved forwardly disconnecting the clutch shaft 14.

elements 25 and 26 and the arm 83 moves the frame 55 rearwardly causing the gear 15 to disengage from the gear 23 and move the clutch element 20 in engagement with the'clutch element 21 establishing a direct drive from `the drive shaft 4 to the driven To place the transmission in neutral, the controlling lever 80 is moved to the character N upon the quadrant 78 which positions the arms 84 and 83 between the frames 52 and 53 and upon actuation of the foot pedal the operating members 66 turns any of the frames to their neutral position that may be in operative position thus placing the transmission in neutral.

From the foregoing description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings it will be noted that the gear shifting mechenism can be readily employed in connection .with various types of transmission and of the selective type.

While I have shown and described the preferred embodiment of my invention, it will be understood that minor changes in construction, combination. and arrangement of parts may be made Without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.

Having thus described my invention` what is claimed is f 1. A device of the character set forth comrising a housing, a drive and driven shaft in said housing, a counter shaft in said housing, a plurality of gears carried by the connA ter shaft and varying in sizes, a gein` splined to the drive shaft and normally in mesh with one ofthe gears of the counter shaft, a clutch clement carried b v said gear, a clutch element secured to the driven shaft, means disengaging the last named gear from one of the first named gearsand simultaneously moving the clutch elemenls in engagement with each other to obtain a direct drive from thc drive shaft to the driven shaft., a pair of gears journaled upon the driven shaft and in mesh with a pair of the iirst named gears, clutch elements carried by Said pair of gears, clutch elements splined to the driven shaft and adapted to be moved in engagement with the last named clutch elements to obtain first and second speeds, a pinion jour` nalcd in said housing and in mesh with one of the first named gears, a gear jonrnaied to ihc driven shaft and in mesh with the pinion, a clutch element formed on the last named gear, a clutch element splined to the driving shaft and adapted to engage the last named clutch element to obtain reverse to the transmission.

:2. A device of the character set forth coniprising a transmission, a plurality of controlling rods for said transmission, frames connected to said rods, vertical members in said frames dividingr them into a pair of scctions, shafts extending through the sections of the frames, an operating member upon one of said shafts and adapted to engage any one of the frames `for moving the respective control1`- ad into ,perative position, a second control ling member slidablc on the other shaft and adapted to return and hold the remaining frames in neutral position, means operating said controlling members, and means actuating said controlling members to cause them to move thc frames.

3. A device of the character sct forth comprising a transmission, controllingr rods for said transmission, frames connected to said rods, shafts extending through said frames and rotatably mounted, a controlling memhcr on one of said shafts, oppositcly extending arms on said controlling member, a second controllin, r member on the other shaft, flanges formed on the second controlling member, and having oppositcly extending notches in alinement with the arms, means simultaneously moving the controlling members so` as to position one of the arms in one of the framcs with one of the notches in alinement with said frame, and means rotating the controlling members.

4. A device of the character set forth comprising a transmission, controlling rods for said transmission, frames connected to said controlling rods, shafts extending through said frames and rotatably mounted, an operating member splined to one of said shafts, oppositely extending arms formed on said member, a switch operating member splined to the other shaft, oppositely disposed flanges on Lne switch operating member and having flanges in alncmenty with the arms, a controlling means, means connecting the controlling means with the operating members to position one of the arms Within one of the frames and with one of the notches in alincment therewith, a, pinion secured to one ol said `shafts, u segment secured to the other shaft and in mesh with said pinion,

and means oonnecting one of the shafts to 10 the foot pedal of an automobile for rotating said shafts upon actuation of said foot pedal.

In testimony whereof `I aix my signature in presenece of two witnesses.

WILLIAM J. THOMPSON. Witnesses:

CHAs. E. TUPPER, J. D. BERCON. 

